30 Minute Pork Chop Tacos – The Best Leftover Pork Chop Recipe

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Got leftover pork chops? These easy pork chop tacos are the perfect quick dinner. Ready in 30 minutes with simple toppings and tons of flavor.

These easy pork tacos are fairly straight forward, and are one of my favorite easy dinner ideas. You can cook your pork chops with taco seasoning or add the seasoning to any leftover pork you may have. 

Pork chop tacos are an easy weeknight meal and one of the best ways to use leftover pork chops. These easy pork chop tacos are quick to make and can be topped with fresh ingredients like cilantro, onions, salsa, and cotija cheese.

You could make these with leftover pork shoulder, pork butt, or whatever meat you have on hand, but pork chops are one of my favorite ways to fill a tortilla. Top these with some fresh pico de Gallo, white onions and cilantro, tomatillo salsa, queso fresco, or whatever your favorite taco toppings are. You can also use flour tortillas if you don’t like corn. 

Pork is my favorite meat. It’s so tender and has a great flavor. I love how you can season it any way you like to make a variety of dishes. Whether you choose bone-in or boneless pork chops, they are usually cut thin. That means they cook up in a snap and the texture is outstanding. (And try these taco pork chops too!)

Can You Use Pork Chops for Tacos?

Pork makes a delicious taco. It’s a great idea to cook up a bunch of pork chops and use them to make different meals  – including these spicy leftover pork chop tacos.

There are lots of different ways to cook pork chops. The recipe below will be sautéed in a pan, but they are also great grilled. Frying them in a skillet or baking them in the oven would also be yummy.  Even an instant pot or slow cooker is a great idea for cooking pork chop tacos.

You can top these pork chop tacos with a little sour cream, black beans, corn salsa, pineapple salsa, red onion, fresh corn kernels, fresh pineapple, fresh cilantro, pico de Gallo, Mexican rice, or whatever you like! (And don’t forget that squeeze of fresh lime juice to set the whole thing off)

It just takes a few minutes to cut your leftover pork chops into small pieces, grab some warm tortillas, and whip up a taco Tuesday or even make burrito bowls. A great way to reinvent leftovers and make a delicious meal. I hope you enjoy this pork taco recipe with simple ingredients, but all the flavor. Your taco night is going to be filled with your favorite toppings and amazing flavor! These are super easy tacos any day of the week.

Homemade Taco Seasoning

I love making my own seasoning mixes so I know exactly what’s in my food. They taste far better too. This homemade taco seasoning mix is my favorite. 

If using leftover pork chops, thinly slice your pork and add taco seasoning. Sautee in a pan to warm thoroughly.

If you’re cooking your pork chop tacos from scratch, take some homemade taco seasoning or your favorite store-bought seasoning and sprinkle liberally over the pork chops. Add some salt and pepper and turn the chops over. Repeat on the other side.

Let the pork chops sit for at least an hour. If you’re going to wait more than an hour, cover them in plastic and put them in the refrigerator. Then cook with whatever method you prefer.

If you cook your pork chops in the slow cooker or crock pot, cook them on low for about 7 hours. When you add the taco seasoning, add about a cup of water. 

Pork chops that are super lean will need some fat as they cook or they’ll be dry. Add a few tablespoons of olive oil or butter to the crock pot.

Make sure as always to cook pork to the proper temperature. 

After your pork chops are seasoned with taco seasoning, you need to decide your taco flavor profile. Do you want your pork chop tacos to be super spicy or mild? If you want spice, try adding some spicy peppers on top. 

Do you like to add fresh ingredients like lettuce, tomato, and onion? Or would you rather have avocado and cilantro? Do you like cheese sauce or shredded cheese? What about cotija? Your imagination is the only limit for pork chop tacos! And try it with a spoon of this chimichurri sauce over the top. You’ll love it!

Street Style Pork Chop Tacos

For a simple street taco version, keep the toppings minimal.

Add:

• chopped white onion
• fresh cilantro
• crumbled cotija cheese
• a squeeze of lime

This style lets the flavor of the pork shine through.

More Leftover Pork Chop Recipes

If you’re wondering what to do with leftover pork chops, obviously one of the best recipes is pork chop tacos. But there are lots of other options. They make a great easy dinner for family.

• Chop up the pork meat into chunks and use it in a soup or a casserole. 
• If you scramble some eggs, you can toss leftover pork chop chunks in at the end.
• Leftover pork chops make a great baked potato topping.
• You can put a leftover pork chop on a bun and eat it as a sandwich. 
• You can use strips of cooked pork chop in a stir fry or fried rice. 
• Leftover pork chops are delicious in a potato hash. 
• Pork and rice cheesy skillet would be delicious. 

There are so many ways to use leftover pork chops, the possibilities are endless for making simple dinners. For more pork recipes, check these out:

• Quick Leftover Pork Chop Soup Recipe
• quick and easy pork meals
• how to cook one pork roast and make 5 meals
• air fryer pork tenderloin
• 32 Easy Leftover Pork Recipes

These pork chop tacos are quick, flavorful, and a perfect way to use leftover pork chops. With warm tortillas, seasoned pork, and fresh toppings, they’re an easy dinner idea the whole family will love.

Pork Chop Taco Recipe

Why Pork Chop Tacos Are Perfect for Busy Weeknights

If you need a quick weeknight dinner, pork chop tacos are a great choice. Pork chops cook quickly and are easy to slice into taco-sized pieces. In about 30 minutes, you can turn simple ingredients into a flavorful meal the whole family will enjoy.

These tacos are especially helpful when you’re trying to use leftover pork chops so nothing goes to waste. Just slice the meat, warm it in a skillet with taco seasoning, and pile it into tortillas with fresh toppings.

Because everyone can choose their own toppings, pork chop tacos are also great for families with picky eaters. For more easy kid friendly dinner ideas that your picky eater will love, check this out.

What to Serve With Pork Chop Tacos

Pork chop tacos are delicious on their own, but adding a few sides can turn them into a complete meal.

Great side dishes include:

• Mexican rice
• black beans
• corn salad
• tortilla chips and salsa
• fresh guacamole
• grilled vegetables

If you’re feeding a crowd, serve the tacos buffet style with bowls of toppings so everyone can build their own.

Tips for Making Tender Pork Chop Tacos

Cooking pork chops correctly helps keep the meat juicy and flavorful.

• Avoid overcooking pork chops or they may become dry.
• Let the meat rest before slicing so the juices stay inside.
• Slice the pork against the grain for the most tender tacos.
• If reheating leftovers, warm them quickly in a skillet instead of microwaving.

These simple tips help your pork chop tacos turn out delicious every time.

How to Store and Reheat Pork Chop Tacos

Store leftover pork chop taco meat in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

To reheat:

1. Warm the pork in a skillet with a little oil.
2. Add a sprinkle of taco seasoning.
3. Heat until warmed through.

Avoid microwaving for too long so the pork stays tender.